Anthony Joshua’s rematch with unified heavyweight world champion, Oleksandr Usyk has reportedly been pushed back until mid-August, according to Telegraph Sport.
Usyk and Joshua appeared likely to meet for a second time on July 23 in Saudi Arabia, almost nine months after Usyk spectacular ripped away the WBA ‘super’, IBF and WBO belts from the Brit by unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, according to a report published on Tuesday by Telegraph Sport, the delay has mainly been caused by issues with the broadcast deals.
Joshua, the only boxer in Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable not signed to his exclusive deal with DAZN and currently a broadcast free agent, has reportedly opted for Sky Sports Box Office to stage the fight, with DAZN taking the international rights, as was the case in the first meeting.
Adam Smith, Sky Sports Head of Boxing Development, told Pro Boxing Fans last week he was “99%” certain that ‘AJ’ would remain with his career-long UK broadcaster, Sky Sports.
Hearn also suggested in an interview with IFLTV on Monday that the rematch could be delayed beyond the July 23 date, but insisted this was only due to being able to promote the fight properly.
“We have agreed a deal with the site and the date,” Hearn said.
“The working date of July 23. We are pretty much ready to announce.
“Your question about will there be delay? If there is you’re talking about two weeks and it’s for no other reason other than just time and making sure we can promote the fight in the right way.
“AJ is fighting twice this year, so any delay could only be a couple of weeks, because we want to make sure that he’s good to go in December again.”
On Monday, it was also reported by ESPN’s Mike Coppinger that Joshua will be trained by Robert Garcia.
The 32-year-old visited several US-based trainers in the aftermath of his loss to the Ukrainian, including Eddy Reynoso, Ronnie Shields, Virgil Hunter and Garcia, but later said he was working with Angel Fernandez, who has been apart of his coaching set-up since he was drafted in for the rematch win over Andy Ruiz Jr in December 2019, who remains AJ’s only other career loss in June 2019.
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According to ESPN, Garcia, who has trained 14 fighters to world titles has replaced Robert McCracken as head trainer and will leave his California base to start camp in the UK ahead of the return bout.
Victory for the Watford man, would see him become a three-time heavyweight world champion and perhaps lead to an undisputed title showdown with WBC king, Tyson Fury who announced his retirement following his sixth round stoppage over Dillian Whyte in April.
